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Diving into the Magic of Fantasy Islands
Sunfire
CONTENTS
Overview
Scaling the cliffs, the man decided he needed a break so he made his way over to a harbor. He found a ship and made a deal with its captain; he would work while the boat took him to the place he hoped would give him some R & R. After being on the ship for a week or two, the traveler beamed when his destination came into sight. He would take a break from his quest in one of the most beautiful places in the world. There’s nothing that beats the beauty of one of many fantasy islands!
One of various types of fantasy environments, islands are known worldwide for what they offer: excitement and adventure. People flock to these places for a number of reasons, whether it be treasure, a rare creature, or the chance to start a new life.
Fantasy islands are found in many different locales, from the tropics all the way into the cold climes. While there’s quite a few in the bitter cold, the vast majority appear in the warm, lush tropics. Some can be found within large lakes!
No matter where they’re at, each island has its own secret that it won’t give up so easily. Only those with perseverance will find out what it is and share it with the world. These secrets range from a long-presumed extinct animal walking around to a dungeon that has priceless artifacts — and monsters to boot!
How do fantasy islands fit in with the story? In many ways, they’re merely a stopping point for the hero on his journey. In many worlds, the only way to reach them is by boat (or swimming if it’s close to the shore). The hero explores the area and discovers what’s happening there and sets things right before moving on.
This is the sixteenth — if you can believe it! — in a series featuring the different types of fantasy environments. If you want to read any of the fifteen articles that came before this one, you can find them on our blog.
Let’s talk a nice, leisurely walk on the sandy beach and see what fantasy islands are all about!
The Different Types of Fantasy Islands
While they take up very little space, fantasy islands are all over the world. Many are located just off the mainland or deep in the ocean where the only way to get there is to get on a ship and sail there. However, where they’re found determines the kind of climate they have.
There are two major kinds of islands: tropical and polar. Each one brings something to the table that the other doesn’t.
These are what tropical islands offer:
- Lush, green vegetation or rainforests/jungles.
- High humidity and temperatures throughout the year.
- Exotic fruits and plants.
- Rare animals that can’t be found anywhere.
- Scenic sandy beaches.
Tropical fantasy islands are a popular destination because the weather is great all year long. Aside from the occasional rainstorm or hurricane, people are outside all day long, enjoying its beauty and learning all about it.
Not to be outdone by its tropical counterpart, polar islands have:
- Little to no vegetation.
- Frigid temperatures all year round.
- Very few, if any, plants.
- Rare animals that only call them home.
- Icy, rocky, or sandy beaches.
Polar fantasy islands are a magnet for those who have a burning desire to discover something new, since not many people would brave the chilly temperatures searching for something. Keep in mind that these islands are excellent places for secrets, since only a few would ever venture there.
Getting to each type of island comes with its own set of challenges. For those going to a tropical island, they have to contend with pirates, unpredictable weather, and fearsome beasts who dwell in the warm waters. For someone who wants to go to a subzero island, he’ll have to worry about the cold wind and temperature, the choppy waves that make sailing difficult, and the beasts who don’t mind the cold.
The Secrets of the Islands
Fantasy islands are known for their mystery. Since not many people live there, there’s still a lot about them that’s still unknown. Finding out what they have is what brings adventurers and explorers filled with thoughts of fame and glory to them.
So what secrets lurk in the depths of the islands? The first one would be treasure. There’s nothing like hearing rumors about a treasure chest full of gold and other priceless jewelry that gets people running to be the first to get them. The chests are typically buried somewhere deep in the jungle or in the ruins of an ancient civilization that’s full of traps.
The second secret would be the relics of long-lost civilizations. Appearing as ruins, they show what kind of people once lived there, fueling interest in learning more about them. These ruins always have overgrown plants, since nature reclaimed them but that’s not all. There’s pitfalls, long-lost treasure, or a monster slumbering in its heart.
Another secret that fantasy islands have is monsters. It might be a dragon, skeleton, or fairy or any other kind. Said monster is typically protecting something (or someone) and the hero must defeat him to retrieve the object or save the captive person.
Rare animals are the fourth secret of the island. The list of animals include dinosaurs, mythical beasts, or animals long-presumed extinct. Found only on islands, they nestle deep in their heart and will only show themselves to a select few, if any. Most of them are skittish though and will run away if they sense danger, except for the dinosaurs. They’ll just go after the intruders and tear them apart.
Dungeons are the fifth and last major secret fantasy islands harbor. They could be abandoned castles, ancient ruins, large caves that leads underground (or underwater), or a shrine/temple honoring a deity. They’re usually in hard-to-get-to places, meaning that those who wish to enter it must first survive the path there. Those fortunate enough to reach them must endure a gauntlet of fierce monsters and a large boss at the end. On the other hand, there’s plenty of treasure to be found in dungeons.
Fantasy Islands' Role in the Story
There’s only one key role fantasy islands play in the story and it’s to be a stopping point for the hero in his quest. What you do with that stopping point is entirely up to you! You can make it so that the hero stays a long time there or he’s just there for a few days and then he’ll be gone.
If you decide to make the island a key point in the story, you’ll need to have a good idea and execute it well. You don’t want to have a great idea but how it’s executed completely kills it, which will leave a sour taste in your audience’s mouth.
Perhaps the hero heard of the island’s troubles while on the mainland and wanted to investigate? The island could be suffering from poisoned waters or a disease that’s killing its food source.
The hero spends a few days gathering information by talking with the locals and piecing together what he learned during his conversations. He eventually figures out the cause and works to set things right. As it turns out, the villain, or most likely, one of his servants, is the culprit which links it to the main plot.
This storyline can take up a good chunk of the overall plot and increases the hero’s desire to prevail over the big bad. This makes the audience more invested in not just the hero triumphing but the places he travels to throughout the story.
If you choose to have it play only a minor role, you can just have the hero stay there for a few days — or one day if you wish! — and he’ll set out on the next phase of his adventure. Here the island functions as a place for him to rest and regain his strength while preparing for what’s coming.
Regardless of how you plan to use the island in your story, don’t forget that in many worlds sailing is the only way to get from one landmass to another. You’ll want to show at least part of the journey there and back. The audience will want to see what it’s like getting there and leaving it.
Tying it all Together
To put it all together, fantasy islands enrich the world. They’re found in many parts of the world, from ice-frozen areas to the tropics. Every world from Middle-earth to Skyrim has them.
Their location determines what you come across there. Those in polar areas are full of cold winds, frozen rocks, and little vegetation. In contrast, tropical islands are abuzz with many animals and insects, excellent weather all year round, and lush rainforests.
Fantasy islands are chock-full of secrets and dangers. Whether it’s buried treasure or a demonic monster slumbering in the temple’s heart, only those with great courage and a keen eye will discover them. The question is, will they make it out without losing their lives?
Even though their role in the story is to be a stopping point for the hero, you can shape how they’re used. You could make them a major part and integrate them with the main storyline. Alternatively, having them play a minor role is a feasible option. Either way works as long as they don’t feel out of place in your story.
Does that mean you should have them in your world? Of course! There’s really no reason not to incorporate them in the world you’re building. They can only help enhance your world and just think, you could create an island that your audience wants to learn more about!
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Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
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